Meet the Fashion Troll: Lil Nas X

Joel

Lil Nas X in Met Gala

Lil Nas X has once again; amazed the whole world in the Met Gala. It seems the "Industry Baby" singer didn't think one grandiose outfit was good enough; he served three in a row. The first outfit was a beaded, high-collared golden cape with a sweeping train behind. Underneath was a glistening armor, reminding us of the roundtable knight (but in a future version — the C3PO from Star Wars). And finally, a slinky bodysuit with Versace's signature house print. Later he explained, the inspiration came from his metamorphosis — Of a nobody cloaking himself up till he shed off his armor and shone out his inner appeal.

The Transmutation.

The transfiguration he refers was not bounded inside the music industry. Has braced himself to courage, the Atlanta two-time Grammy Award-winning rapper neglected the gossips in this sexist industry and came out as gay to voice out for LGBTQ on the last day of Pride Month in 2019.

Quote to his "C7osure", one song on his debut EP 7, "This is what I gotta do, can't be regretting when I'm old.

The Montero singer has taken the fashion world by storm as well.

As a queer icon and LGBTQ advocate, Lil Nas X is always fearless to break new ground when it comes to Fashion. The outrageous colors and designs he wears put him under the spotlight every single time — From the neon pink cowboy look with the iconic cropped jacket, mesh shirt; to the recent off-the-shoulder lavender Atelier Versace that showed up in the 2021 VMAs. The celebrity blows the audiences away by re-bringing up the legendary collection (e.g., the concept of bondage chic from the collection "Miss S&M" shown in the cowboy outfit) in a different way.

Fashion can reach more than we expected.

What Lil Nas X's told us is, fashion can be the vessel of attitude. There is no absolute right or wrong to one's style; we are the chief in deciding our wearing. Undoubtedly, expectations exist in society, but it doesn't necessarily mean obstacles that limit our creativity. Instead, the defined representations gave us the frameworks to branch out the new ideas. Like, nobody would imagine a male rapper could dress sexy rather than in an oversized t-shirt with plain gold chains before.

The reinvention itself could be a form of free speech that voices out for minorities by grouping like-minded persons together. And as a means to show their in-group affiliation.

LNX used his reputation to raise the #UggPride campaign with the renowned footwear brand, releasing a gender-inclusive capsule collection with the signatures LGBTQ+ pride rainbow flag. Each sold pair of Disco Stripe slides would transfer $25 donation to GLAAD, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, as the celebration of identity and love.

Stop copying others' fashion.

Fashion is more than wearing pieces of the most delicate fabric. All of us deserve a transfiguration from the prison of manipulated styles. So, does it mean we have to wear outrageous clothes to develop a personal style? I will say it depends; blue jeans topped with a white t-shirt could also nail it, as long as you are consciously playing with the vibe, to express who you are or who you want to be.

I guess that's why Donatella Versace would say, "Fashion is all about happiness. It's fun. It's important. But it's not medicine."